Method and device for monitoring a computing element in a motor vehicle

Abstract

A method and an arrangement for monitoring a computing element in a motor vehicle are suggested. The computing element generates, with the aid of the program modules, at least one output quantity for controlling at least one function in the motor vehicle in dependence upon at least one input quantity. At least one program module or at least a part thereof is selected for monitoring the correct function of the computing element ( 12 ). This at least one selected module or the at least one selected part thereof or a copy is run through in the computing element ( 12 ) on the basis of test data and the result of the test data computation is compared to a pregiven result for fault detection.

1. A method for monitoring a computing element in a motor vehicle, the computing element including program modules for influencing the operating performance of said motor vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
 utilizing said computing element with the aid of said program modules to generate at least one output quantity for controlling at least one function in said motor vehicle in dependence upon at least one input quantity;  
 selecting at least one of said program modules or at least a part thereof for monitoring the correct function of the computing element;  
 running through the at least one selected one of said program modules or the at least one selected part thereof or a copy thereof in said computing element on the basis of test data; and,  
 comparing the result of the test data computation to a pregiven result for fault detection.  
 
   
   
     2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the test is stimulated by a monitoring module. 
   
   
     3. The method of  claim 1 , comprising the further step of, in addition to the test, providing a process control of at least a selected program module which defines an inquiry-response communication with the monitoring module and is started thereby. 
   
   
     4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein, in the monitoring module, the result, which is determined by the test and/or by the process control, is compared to a pregiven result and a fault reaction is initiated by said monitoring module when there are impermissible deviations. 
   
   
     5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said computing element functions to control the drive unit of said motor vehicle and said at least one selected program module is reliability relevant and preferably power determining as, for example, the detection of the driver command, the idle control, the torque coordination, the throttle flap position control. 
   
   
     6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least a selected program module or the at least one selected part thereof is applied as an original program for the test. 
   
   
     7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein, in addition to the command test, which defines a test computation with the original program or with a copy of the original program, and/or a process control, a test is carried out of at least the reliability relevant memory cells of the computing element. 
   
   
     8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said computing element serves for controlling an automatic transmission or an engine power control or an electrically controlled brake system, preferably a brake system having electro-motoric application. 
   
   
     9. A method for monitoring a computing element in a motor vehicle, the computing element including program modules for influencing the operating performance of said motor vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
 utilizing said computing element with the aid of said program modules to generate at least one output quantity for controlling at least one function in said motor vehicle in dependence upon at least one input quantity;  
 selecting at least one of said program modules or at least a part thereof for monitoring the correct function of the computing element;  
 running through the at least one selected one of said program modules or the at least one selected part thereof or a copy thereof in said computing element on the basis of test data;  
 comparing the result of the test data computation to a pregiven result for fault detection; and,  
 wherein at least a selected program module or the at least one selected part thereof is assigned as an original program to a first level of said computing element (level 1) and is assigned as a copy or in the original for the execution of the test to a second level of the computing element (level 1′).  
 
   
   
     10. An arrangement for monitoring a computing element in a motor vehicle, the arrangement comprising:
 a computing element, which includes program modules, with the aid of which the operating performance of the motor vehicle is influenced;  
 said computing element functioning to generate, with the aid of the program modules, at least one output quantity for controlling at least a function in the motor vehicle in dependence upon at least one input quantity; and,  
 at least one program module or at least a part thereof, which is selected for monitoring the correct function of the computing element, said at least one selected module or said at least one selected part thereof or a copy being run through in the computing element on the basis of test data and the result of the test data computation being compared to a pregiven result for fault detection.